# hypotheses

/haɪˈpɑθəˌsiz/ (US) · /haɪpˈɒθəsˌiːz/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hypotheses
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

ideas or guesses that explain how something works but have not been proven yet. Scientists test these ideas with experiments to see if they are true.

For teachers: propositions or explanations made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. The plural form of 'hypothesis'.

## Examples

- The scientists tested several hypotheses during the experiment.
- After reviewing the initial data, the research team developed three competing hypotheses to explain the sudden drop in water quality.
- While early researchers proposed that the ruins were religious in nature, modern archaeological hypotheses suggest they served primarily as fortified granaries for the surrounding agricultural communities.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The hypotheses is interesting" but "The hypotheses are interesting" — Hypotheses is the plural form and requires a plural verb; the singular form is hypothesis.

## Usage notes

- The plural form of 'hypothesis'; follows Greek-root pluralisation patterns where '-is' becomes '-es'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.